1001 deeds, sayings, curiosities and anecdotes of the ancient world

What is an epigram?

Published 15 October 2013|0 Comments

The word comes from the Latin epigramma, and this from the Greek ἐπίγραμμα (from ἐπί = on and γραμμα =, writing, letter), which means "inscription". Its etymology refers to burial or votive inscriptions on stone or other material, naturally short

Later this kind of poems was trying other matters and appointed a short poem, usually of amorous and erotic theme, a kind of fictional recording. In the first century A.D. the subject matter is varied, especially satirical and social criticist.

In this type of poetry shines the Hispanic poet Marcus Valerius Martialis (40-104), born in Biblbilis (near to the present Calatayud) . He wrote more than 1,500 epigrams, mostly in elegiac couplets (disticha) (from Gr. δί-, two-and στιχον, groove, verse, verse), then, two verses, one hexameter and one pentameter).

Are well known these on erotic themes, sometimes obscene, but Martial tried all subjects and aspects of the life and customs of Roman society. His work is a document of great value to learn about various aspects of society and culture of century I in Rome. Let's say that your issues can be sweet as honey (mel); satirical as gall (fel), acids such as vinegar (acetum), funny and witty as salt (salt). Are these comparisons which from antiquity have been used to define these little poems and their subjects.

Thus, the epigram is a little poem which must have as characteristics identified by the old poets themselves as Martial himself: brevity, softness and sweetness, wit, ngenuity, mockery, acidity and pungency

Martial, himself, explains it on book 7, 25:

Although the epigrams which you write are always sweetness itself and more spotless than a white-leaded skin, and although there is in them neither an atom of salt, nor a drop of bitter gall, yet you expect, foolish man, that they will be read. Why, not even food itself is pleasant, if it is wholly destitute of acid seasoning; nor is a face pleasing, which shows no dimples. Give children your honey-apples and luscious figs; the Chian fig, which has sharpness, pleases my taste. (Martial, Epigrams. Book 8. Bohn's Classical Library (1897))

Well, the Spanish Juan de Iriarte y Cisneros (Tenerife 1702 - Madrid 1771) was an important Latinist, Hellenist, bibliographer and poet with a huge work. Your favorite genre was the epigram and translated many of Marcial in verse, as well as other modern authors. He himself wrote many epigrams in Latin and theorized about the characteristics of these poems.

This important character perfectly defines what is an epigram on a known little poem, epigram also naturally:

Similar to Bee,
For that cause pleasure,
The Epigram must be:
Small, sweet and sharp.

These comparisons to define the epigram already were used in times of Martial. This epigram, which defines the essential characteristics of this literary genre (small, sweet and pungent or sharp) is well known by the reading public, better known by readers of any age than by the youngest of today, who barely memorize a literary text. What few know, then and now, is the Latin version of the author himself (Iriarte), the number CCLXVI, which entitled Epigrammatis dotes and it says:

"But the festive ingenuity should only
alertness to the subtle epigram:
a slight thought,
one voice, one mistake is enough
to show off their grace and vivacity;
and quick as the bee, fly, wounds,
stinger spikes and immediately dies "

In fact, they are these traditional definitions, requiring as "virtues" (a term more often than “dotes”, the "talent", used by Iriarte) from the epigram, especially brevity and wit, to which some add the softness and sweetness, which is characteristic honey.

We will post a few examples, drawn from the thousand and a half he wrote, to so the reader would be encouraged to make a complete reading of his work. (Translation from “Epigrams. Book 8. Bohn's Classical Library (1897)”)

Book VIII, No. 14. 5–6.

That your tender Cilician fruit trees may not suffer from frost, and that too keen a blast may not nip your young plants, glass frame-works, opposed to the wintry south winds, admit the sunshine and pure light of day without any detrimental admixture. But to me a cell is assigned with unglazed windows, in which not even Boreas himself would like to dwell. Is it thus, cruel man, that you would have your old friend live? I should be better sheltered as the companion of your trees.

Book V, No. 9 I was indisposed; and you straightway came to see me, Symmachus, accompanied by a hundred of your pupils. A hundred hands, frozen by the northern blast, felt my pulse. I had not then an ague, Symmachus, but I have now.

Rumour says, Chione, that you have never had to do with man, and that nothing can be purer than yourself! And yet when you bathe, you veil not that part which you should veil. If you have any modesty, veil your face.

Report says that you, Fidentinus, recite my compositions in public as if they were your own. If you allow them to be called mine, I will send you my verses gratis; if you wish them to be called yours, pray buy them, that they may be mine no longer.